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Samara Discusses Disaster Preparedness

by Arianna McKinney

Although, the red alert was lowered to yellow and shelters were shut down, many remain nervous with so many aftershocks – over 1700 by Tuesday 11- and the possibility of another big quake.

On Monday, September 10, more than 100 people from Samara and surrounding communities showed up at a meeting to address uncertainties and doubts in the community hall with the National Emergency Committee (CNE), accompanied by the mayor and vice mayor along with a team of psychologists (SEE ARTICLE ABOUT PSYCHOLOGISTS) and a seismologist from the University of Costa Rica (UCR). 

Adriana Rodriguez, president of the municipal emergency committee and vice mayor of Nicoya canton, noted that Garza, Nosara and Samara are the communities most vulnerable along the coast and stressed that the emergency committee is focusing on prevention. 

 
In a show of solidarity, one member of the community, suggested everyone holding hands for a minute during the meeting to share the fear as well as the happiness of surviving the earthquake.

Seismologist Discusses Tsunamis and Preparedness

UCR Seismologist Mario Fernandez Arce told VON that “it has been demonstrated that here big events occur and no one dies. It’s a fact that gives hope.” He noted that the no one died in the 7.7 earthquake in 1950, and practically no one died in this 7.6 earthquake either (the only related death was indirect from a heart attack).

Fernandez explained that a tremor can pass “happily” through hard rock with little effect, such as the rock mass below Nicoya, whereas a volcanic terrain would amplify a tremor, causing it to shake harder and longer.  

During the meeting, Fernandez addressed questions about tsunamis, noting that any quake in the ocean or near the coast comes with the threat of a tsunami; therefore people should automatically get away from the coast and head for a high point. 

Depending on the location and magnitude of the event, tsunamis can happen within half an hour to an hour and a half after an event and waves range from one meter to 30 in height. The most problematic are the first 200-300 meters of the beach, he said. Therefore the recommendation is to evacuate to a location at least 300 meters from the beach and at least 10 meters high. 

The gas station is not the most recommended area to evacuate to, he said, since other potential problems exist. He also advised that anyone out fishing should not come to shore since they will hardly feel anything in the deep sea.

Fernandez also recommended having an emergency plan, including pets in the plan. During an earthquake, he advised no to run but rather to get in a doorway. Afterward, leave the building and get to a safe place. 

He said that running out during the earthquake is not a good idea. One reason why is that in the moment of panic people are likely to forget to take things like emergency kits, which should include a radio with batteries, flashlight, medicine and first aid kit, blanket, clothing, water and canned food and can opener. 

Fernandez also stressed that it is important now to review how well structures were built, especially the columns and rafters and reinforce them if necessary.

In addition, all members of the family, including children, should know where and how to shut of water, electricity and gas in case of leaks. 

 

More Regional News

Fined Foreigners Face Re-entry Ban

According to the new Ley de Transito (traffic law), foreigners who do not pay a traffic ticket before leaving Costa Rica will be denied re-entry into the country on their next visit – whether by land or air.

Legislators Approve Moratorium on Evictions in Coastal Communities
“Decision of the President is Only a Postponement of the Evictions, Not a Solution” Gerardo Chaves Cordero (CIMACO)

The Legislative Assembly has approved in both the first and second debates a law that establishes a 24-month moratorium to halt evictions of inhabitants of special zones, including the maritime land zone.

Psychologists Visit Nosara and Samara to Calm People’s Nerves

On Monday, September 10, a group of 10 psychologists from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the College of Psychologists arrived in the communities of Samara and Nosara to meet with the populace and school teachers with the goal of giving them post-earthquake therapy.

This Was the Anticipated Earthquake for Nicoya, but Seismic Potential Remains

The September 5, 2012 earthquake in Cangrejal of Samara had a magnitude and location in the place foreseen by the scientific work published by OVSICORI during the last fifteen years. 

Effect on Tourism in the Coast Should Be Minimal

Optimism abounds as people in Samara and Nosara have assessed damages caused by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, September 5th with the epicenter in Cangrejal of Samara. Some have commented that it was fortunate that the earthquake happened during the day since injuries and structural damages were minimal.

Was This the Big One?

Three days after the 7.6 magnitude earthquake shook the country, a lot of information has been received  and processed by the Costa Rican Sismology and Volcanology Observatory (OVSICORI); nonetheless conclusions are few and progressive. 

Nicoya Requests Collaboration of Civil Engineers to Facilitate Home Inspections
240 Homes Affected

The Municipality of Nicoya requested the voluntary help of associated civil engineers to evaluate the damages suffered by houses and buildings alter the earthquake on Wednesday morning. 

Bridges over Rio Montaña and Nosara Not Seriously Damaged
RAASA Will Begin Work on Route 160 on Saturday, the 8th

After the 7.6 magnitude earthquake on September 5th, the National Roadway Council (CONAVI) assured that the bridges over Río Montaña and Nosara River not only withstood the strong shaking of the quake and aftershocks, but additionally the structures don’t show severe damages.

Not Everyone Can Return to Daily Life After Earthquake

Although aftershocks continue to be felt constantly—now numbering more than 1,000—people are returning to their normal lives. For many, this is easy to do since their homes and businesses didn’t sustain damage or the damage was minimum after the earthquake on Wednesday, September 5th.

Video of 7.6 Earthquake in Nosara

Samara Remains Under Red Alert After Earthquake
Medical Services Are Limited

Still under red alert, 236 men, women and children are sleeping and eating in three designated shelters in the district of Samara, the epicenter of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that shook and shocked many on Wednesday morning, September 5th. 

President Chinchilla Came to Nicoya to Evaluate Situation
-Vice-Minister of Housing inspected damage in Nosara

Thursday morning, September 6th, President of the Republic Laura Chinchilla toured various parts of the canton in order to evaluate the situation 24 hours alter the earthquake with epicenter in Samara Beach

Engineers Survey Nosara Damage

Two engineers from the Architects and Engineer Federal College were present in Nosara this Thursday, September 6th, observing homes and surveying the damage resulting from the 7.6 magnitude earthquake, which struck in the morning hours of September 5th, 2012.

7.6 Earthquake in Cangrejal of Samara
Information from the National Seismological Network (UCR)

8 km to the northeast of Samara
15 kilometers deep
7.6 intensity on the Richter scale
Felt as far away as Nicaragua

7.6 Earthquake in Cangrejal of Samara
7.6 Magnitude Earthquake Damages Several Structures in Nicoya

This Wednesday, September 5th a powerful, magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck approximately 8 kilometers northeast from the town of Samara, generating a strong quake whose force was felt throughout the country, but mostly on the Nicoya Peninsula.

7.6 Earthquake in Cangrejal of Samara
Municipality of Nicoya and National Emergency Commission Assessing Damages in Nosara

At around 2 p.m. a meeting was held with representatives of the Municipality of Nicoya, who arrived in Nosara to evaluate structural damages in the town in order to report to the National Emergency Commission (CNE). 

46% of Ticos Lack Faith in the Police
Opinions in Nosara and Samara are Mixed

The absolute trust that the majority of Costa Ricans once had in the officers of the Public Force has been diminishing through the years, giving way to an increase in the perception of greater insecurity in the country, according to reports from the United Nations Development Program (PNUD).

Nosara Center Asphalt Project Still in the Works

The project to pave two kilometers in the center of Nosara is being held up due to a funding issue in the municipality, so it might be a couple more months before the project can be completed. 

Municipality Looks to Recover Green Zones and Public Areas

The municipality is trying to sort out registries of lands in Garza, Nosara and Samara that are improperly registered. The lands include green zones, public property and streets in Samara and Nosara, as well as concessionable lands in the maritime zone of Garza.

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